Chen Rocks Macallan
Last night's visit to Chen's for a quick dinner out in the midst of this season's first winter storm turned into an unexpected surprise, a Chanukah treat, so to speak. Chen likes malt whisky, Macallan's specifically. He always has the 12 behind his bar, moderately priced. Once or twice in the past, I have noticed a bottle of 15, but the last time I ordered that, he jokingly told me the bottle was for him, not to share with anyone else.
Yesterday, as we walked past the bar on the way to our seats, I noticed the 15 on the shelf above the bar, and before anyone could decide that it didn't belong in the restaurant, that it was intended for delivery to Chen's residence, I promptly advised our server that I'd like a glass. Two bottles of Macallan sat side by side on the shelf, so I was careful to advise, "Fifteen, not twelve. And neat please; no ice." Chen generally has the staff schooled on the proper way to serve Macallan, but one never knows. There have been times that the bartender was so new at this business that Chen himself had to come behind the bar and explain what 'neat' meant; and into what glass we pour the malt; and the proper portion; all the necessary information.
Anyway, Chen overheard my conversation with the server and stopped by the table. He let us know that he also had the 21 in the restaurant. Can you imagine? Macallan 21 in a Chinese restaurant. But at twenty-something a pour, I told him that was a bit rich; I'd stick with the 15. We chatted whisky for a few minutes, and the waitress returned with a nice pour of the fifteen, a perfect beverage for a snowy night out.
As dinner was winding down, and after I'd finished the glass of Macallan, Chen stopped by the table once more, this time with a glass of whisky in his hand. Macallan 21, on the house. Now I wasn't just another customer; I was a fellow malt whisky lover; and he was just my host, wanting to share a taste of his finest whisky with someone who'd enjoy it. Perfect hospitality, I'd say. The twenty-one is even fuller and richer than the seventeen; the taste builds up luxuriously, and then lingers in the mouth long after the whisky has been swallowed. Danny got a bottle of this last year for Chanukah, and I'd enjoyed a glass or two with him. It was every bit as good as I'd remembered. The only drawback is the price, over $200 a bottle. But on a Monday night in Chen's, on the house, what could possibly be better?
Yesterday, as we walked past the bar on the way to our seats, I noticed the 15 on the shelf above the bar, and before anyone could decide that it didn't belong in the restaurant, that it was intended for delivery to Chen's residence, I promptly advised our server that I'd like a glass. Two bottles of Macallan sat side by side on the shelf, so I was careful to advise, "Fifteen, not twelve. And neat please; no ice." Chen generally has the staff schooled on the proper way to serve Macallan, but one never knows. There have been times that the bartender was so new at this business that Chen himself had to come behind the bar and explain what 'neat' meant; and into what glass we pour the malt; and the proper portion; all the necessary information.
Anyway, Chen overheard my conversation with the server and stopped by the table. He let us know that he also had the 21 in the restaurant. Can you imagine? Macallan 21 in a Chinese restaurant. But at twenty-something a pour, I told him that was a bit rich; I'd stick with the 15. We chatted whisky for a few minutes, and the waitress returned with a nice pour of the fifteen, a perfect beverage for a snowy night out.
As dinner was winding down, and after I'd finished the glass of Macallan, Chen stopped by the table once more, this time with a glass of whisky in his hand. Macallan 21, on the house. Now I wasn't just another customer; I was a fellow malt whisky lover; and he was just my host, wanting to share a taste of his finest whisky with someone who'd enjoy it. Perfect hospitality, I'd say. The twenty-one is even fuller and richer than the seventeen; the taste builds up luxuriously, and then lingers in the mouth long after the whisky has been swallowed. Danny got a bottle of this last year for Chanukah, and I'd enjoyed a glass or two with him. It was every bit as good as I'd remembered. The only drawback is the price, over $200 a bottle. But on a Monday night in Chen's, on the house, what could possibly be better?
posted by pops | 2:48 PM
1 Comments:
Home early on a Tuesday aren't we.
How jealous I'm I about your 21 Y.O.encounter? Rhetorical question followed by a 'YES'.
Fuck Max Restaurant and next time it is Chen's and The Idlewood BBQ Pavilion.
Also it looks like Santana is going to the redsox. If it happens all the payroll and expectations will clearly be on the redsox.
G-Man
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